There is an episode of AMC’s Mad Men^⸸ where Don Draper, the show’s main character, is on a roadtrip with his family. They stop on the side of the road for a picnic, and when they leave, they causally leave behind all their trash. I remember watching the scene when it first aired and being stunned. Similar to the casual sexism shown in the series, although I was aware that social norms in the 1960s were quite different, it’s hard to fully grasp how much the world has changed until seeing it brought to life on the screen.

That’s why recycling and sustainable waste practices are more crucial than ever. Recycling conserves natural resources, reduces energy consumption, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. Composting organic waste keeps it out of landfills and returns nutrients to the soil. Reducing single-use plastics and designing products for reuse can dramatically cut down on overall waste. Importantly, these efforts must be implemented not just at the individual level, but systemically—through government policies, corporate responsibility, and international cooperation.

However, individuals still have a critical role to play. It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of such a massive global issue, but small actions, multiplied across millions of people, truly do add up. Good waste management starts with everyday decisions. We can support businesses and social policies that prioritize sustainability. At home we can do our part by choosing reusable products, properly sorting recyclables, composting food scraps, and educating ourselves and others. To that end, for our April member gathering we have arranged a tour of the Charleston County Material Recovery Facility (recycling center) on Thursday, April 10th, and we are promoting tours of the composting facility on Saturday, April 19th, and the Mt Pleasant Water Treatment center on Thursday, April 24th. Details are provided below. 

Ultimately, waste management is not just about keeping our surroundings clean. It’s about preserving the health of our communities, protecting the environment, and ensuring a livable future for generations to come. Even if you can’t join us at any of the facility tours, take a moment to reflect on the importance of waste management, and think about what choices you can make to contribute to a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable future.

That is not to say that our society has become so evolved that we live in a litter free world. Drive down any road and you will likely see carelessly discarded bottles, food wrappers and other waste. I imagine that most people are like me in that they notice this trash, are annoyed by how many people can be so careless, yet largely take for granted the marvel that is modern waste management.

Waste management is not a glamorous topic, and you’re most likely to think about it when something goes wrong. This funny video illustrates that point: https://youtu.be/9hTosCUTmck

April is Earth Month, a perfect opportunity to reflect on how deeply our modern lifestyles rely on effective waste management. It’s a time to consider the vital role we each play in a global system that impacts not only the lives of those we share the planet with today but also the future of those who will inherit the world we leave behind. Throughout history, the way human societies have handled their waste—or failed to—has had profound impacts on health, the environment, and the stability of entire civilizations.

In early human history, waste wasn’t really a problem. Nomadic groups moved from place to place, hunting and gathering what they needed to survive. Because these groups were small and mobile, they produced minimal waste, and whatever refuse they did leave behind—mostly organic—was quickly reabsorbed into the natural environment. Waste decomposed naturally, and the land had time to heal before humans returned.

Everything changed when humans began forming permanent settlements. With agriculture came villages, towns, and eventually sprawling cities. When you don’t have to carry everything you own everywhere you go, you tend to collect more stuff, and increased consumption generally leads to more waste. The amount of waste increases dramatically, and it doesn’t take long before it begins to pile up. For example, in ancient Rome streets often overflowed with waste. Despite some early attempts at organized waste collection, such systems were primitive and inconsistent. Over time, the failure to manage waste effectively led to serious consequences.

The Middle Ages in Europe offer a particularly grim example. In densely populated urban centers, human and animal waste was frequently dumped into streets or rivers. The resulting contamination of drinking water created ideal conditions for pandemics like the Black Death, which killed an estimated 25 million people in the 14th century. Even in more recent history, poor waste management has led to polluted rivers, air quality crises, and outbreaks of disease. Not giving sufficient consideration to how we deal with waste comes at a very high cost.

Clean streets, functioning sewers, and efficient garbage collection are generally taken for granted in the developed world. Few people stop to think about the complex systems required to make modern sanitation possible. Waste management workers are rarely celebrated, and public investment in sustainable waste infrastructure is often inadequate. However, it is no exaggeration to say that without these behind-the-scenes efforts, society as we know it could not function.

That’s why recycling and sustainable waste practices are more crucial than ever. Recycling conserves natural resources, reduces energy consumption, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. Composting organic waste keeps it out of landfills and returns nutrients to the soil. Reducing single-use plastics and designing products for reuse can dramatically cut down on overall waste. Importantly, these efforts must be implemented not just at the individual level, but systemically—through government policies, corporate responsibility, and international cooperation.

However, individuals still have a critical role to play. It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of such a massive global issue, but small actions, multiplied across millions of people, truly do add up. Good waste management starts with everyday decisions. We can support businesses and social policies that prioritize sustainability. At home we can do our part by choosing reusable products, properly sorting recyclables, composting food scraps, and educating ourselves and others. To that end, for our April member gathering we have arranged a tour of the Charleston County Material Recovery Facility (recycling center) on Thursday, April 10th, and we are promoting tours of the composting facility on Saturday, April 19th, and the Mt Pleasant Water Treatment center on Thursday, April 24th. Details are provided below.

Ultimately, waste management is not just about keeping our surroundings clean. It’s about preserving the health of our communities, protecting the environment, and ensuring a livable future for generations to come. Even if you can’t join us at any of the facility tours, take a moment to reflect on the importance of waste management, and think about what choices you can make to contribute to a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable future.